It's my round, declares Sarkozy (and then leaves without paying)

An attempt by Nicolas Sarkozy to act like a ‘man of the people’ buying drinks for his friends in a rural bar backfired horribly this week when he left without paying.

The embarrassing scene took place when the French president visited Villetelle, a small village in the country's central Creuse region, while campaigning for re-election.

Swanning up to the main bar in a cafe, he said ‘It’s my round!’ and ordered six coffees, totally 6 euros and 60 cents - the equivalent of just under £6.

Campaigning: French President Nicolas Sarkozy confidently orders a round of drinks in a rural cafe before leaving without paying

Order: The six coffees take to a total of six euros and 60 cents - the equivalent of just under £6

Distracted? Mr Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni is due to give birth any day

Mr Sarkozy then started holding forth to his presidential team about how there was nothing better in life than enjoying a drink with your friends.

‘It’s a beautiful place, we want to move here,’ he told Bruno Durand, the cafe owner, which doubles as a shop, post office and petrol station for 160 villagers.

As Mr Sarkozy continued to hold forth up at the bar, he boasted about how he had made life easier for rural cafes by reducing VAT to 5.5 per cent for them. He then left and, three days later, has yet to pay his bill.

‘It just shows Mr Sarkozy is the complete opposite of a man of the people,’ said another local resident.

‘He’s got an election to win, and wants to pretend to be one of the boys, but clearly only goes for a drink with his mates when the cameras are on him.’

Mr Sarkozy, who will stand for
re-election in spring 2012, is well-known as a teetotaller who prefers
holding meetings in upmarket hotel lobbies rather in bars or cafes.

Tuesday’s
visit may have been at attempt to emulate Barack Obama as the U.S.
president is known for buying and paying for fast food during visits
around America.

British
Prime Minister David Cameron is also extremely conscientious about
settling when he buys drinks or food for his colleagues.

An Elysee Palace source said Mr Sarkozy’s failure to pay his bill was an ‘oversight’ which would be corrected.

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Nicolas Sarkozy buys round of drinks for voters... then leaves without paying